Dinner...err...Lunch Theatre and Dentistry

On Saturday we had the treat of going to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. If you haven’t attended a play yet at the Broadway Palm they’re full-scale professional productions with complete sets, lighting and scenery. Along with their 'Broadway' productions in the evening, they have Children's play matinees. If you get a group of 20 or more you can get a discount. Awhile ago my sister, Nancy, started reserving practically the whole front section of the theatre, and then everyone would reserve seats through her with the discount price. We have loved going there, and have watched many good plays. The buffet lunch is okay, but you can't beat the entertainment. It has been a great way to introduce theatre to Caden, and he really looks forward to going each time. If you live here and would like to go to the next performance, Chronicles of Narnia...let me know, and I can hook you up with my sister!

The play this time was "Winnie the Pooh's Birthday Tail." It was Eeorye's birthday, and he had lost his tail. Everyone in the forest pulled together to find it. I loved sitting back and watching Caden as he sat there in awe of the performers. Sydney sat the whole time in Nancy's lap! It really has been a fun thing for our family to go to together.

Afterwards we stood in line to snap some pictures with the performers. As you can see in most of the pictures...Caden is being his usual cooperative self. Shannon, her son Jude, and neice Calli got in some pictures with us too. It was good to see Shannon again.

After we took in pictures, my neice, Maya, was begging me to pull her tooth. You see, I have become the official tooth puller in Nancy's family. I don't know why, but I am. Gaylyn, Nancy's MIL, says that I should have become a dentist! HA! I guess I just have the magic touch because whenever a tooth starts to get loose...they are calling me up! So we went into the bathroom and pulled it out. Here are some pictures of the "big" event! :) At first I didn't think that it was going to come out...there was one part of the tooth that was being very stubborn! I told Maya that I didn't think it was going to come out today, and she started to cry. I felt so bad for her because she wanted it out sooo bad. So we kept trying, and finally it gave it...and we had one happy little girl!

Broadway Palm's - Alice in Wonderland

I had mentioned that I would post the details about the next show...so here they are. I think I had said July, but it is actually on June 28th. My sister organizes this, which allows us to have a group rate. It is always so much fun, and I love that we are in the very front (I think it really helps keep my kids attention...they are literally mesmerized). Here is an excerpt of the email that she sends out. If you are interested in reserving some seats, let me know, and I will get you in contact with Nancy.

The play includes a lunch buffet that starts at noon and the show starts
at 1pm. Tickets for the group is $15 per person (unless they are under 2
and you want them on your lap) and it includes the tip, and soft drinks.
As long as we have 20 people come we are a group. If you have any other friends
or family that you would like to invite feel free to do so, you can forward this
email on to them if you wish. Final confirmations and payment will be do a
month prior to the show (I will send out reminders in regards to this) – I feel
that most should know at that time if they are able to attend and if plans have
changed the seats will be available in time for anyone else wanting to attend
the play. If you haven’t attended a play yet at the Broadway Palm they’re
full-scale professional productions with complete sets, lighting and
scenery. The chef’s buffet includes favorites like hamburgers, macaroni
and cheese, pizza, chicken and more. It’s a great way to introduce
children to live theatre!"

These are the seats that Nancy has reserved...the ones that have no name by it are still available.

Alice in Wonderland – Saturday, June 28, 2008

I (Nancy) have booked tables A1-A22, A24-A25, and B4-B6

A1 (Miller) - 4
A2 (Udall) – 4
A3 (Judd) - 4
A4 (Osborne) – 3
A5 (Aker) – 4
A6 (Beach) – 4
A7 (S. Lavender) – 4
A8
A9 (Miller) - 3
A10 (Carstens) – 4
A11 (Carstens) – 4
A12 (Zimmerman) - 4
A13 (Rhodes) – 4
A14 (Olivares) - 3
A15
A16
A17
A18
A19
A20
A21 (Hansen) - 2
A22 (Moore) - 4
A24
A25
B4
B5 (Taylor) – 6 seats a-f
B6

This is a layout of the theatre so you can see where the seats are located.

~~STAGE~~

This really is a fun thing to do with the kids. If you have the time, and money...it is so worth it! Hopefully I can see some of you there!

The Chronicles of Narnia

After the funeral was over I headed home to pick up Shawn and the kids to head to The Broadway Palm for their childrens lunch theatre. This time the play was based on The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. We had a blast as usual. Even though Sydney is not even 2 yet, she will sit still the whole time! They are always captivated. This has been such a fun tradition to go to these as a family. I feel like we will have many memories of the great times that we have had here. Again…if you live in the area, and are interested in going, let me know! My sister reserves the whole front section. She has even reserved seats for next season -- so let me know if you would liek to go to any of those shows! The shows are wonderful, and the food is okay. Because it is a large group you only have to pay $15 and that includes lunch, soft drinks, the show and tip! It is really worth the money!

After the show the actors always come out to sign autographs and take pictures. Caden decided that he didn’t want to have anything to do with that, and refused to get in the pictures with me and Syd. Oh, well…maybe next time!

While we were sick

First off, I wanted to thank everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and acts of service towards our family this past couple weeks.  I have been overwhelmed by the outpour, and extremely grateful for the love we felt from all.  From the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Since Sunday, Caden has been doing great.  He has been able to keep everything he eats or drinks down!  His spunky personality is back.  He continues to improve, and although he thinks he is totally better...his body tells him otherwise.  He has ended up falling asleep by 5 or 5:30!  We went and saw the pediatrician on Tuesday, and she ordered another set of labs.   On Wednesday she called to let us know that his pancreatic enzyme levels had dropped down to 247!!! (They were nearing the 1200's when we were discharged from the hospital)  So we are so glad to see that things were finally going in the right direction. 

While we were sick...life still went on.  We spent alot of time trading off at the hospital, and trying to make sure our other 2 kiddos didn't feel neglected.  Sydney had her dance recital on Saturday (before we were in the hospital, but when Caden was still sick).  She has been taking lessons from Liz in our ward, and has been loving it!  It was so much fun to see her perform. 

Shawn, I and the 2 older kids were supposed to go to an evening showing of Annie at Broadway Palm, but it ended up being a Mommy & Syd date.  We had a great time.  Sydney really loves to sing, and loved watching the 'little' girls up there. 

On Monday (Dec. 13), Shawn worked from home so I could go in and help Sydney's class decorate gingerbread houses.  I love going to my kids classrooms.  I am thankful that I was still able to go.  We had such a fun time.

Shawn took the 2 younger ones to see our neighborhood Santa. 

Sydney had a stockpile of pictures and letters that she had written for Santa and was so excited to give them to him. 

Oh...and this is what happens when your husband dresses your kids. hahahaha

Thanks to Amazon, I was able to get most of my shopping done! I braved the crowds yesterday to get some last minute things, but I am thankful to say that we are ready! Wahoo!

I hope that your Christmas is filled with joy and no sickness!!!

Frosty

Another thing that we traditionally do as a family is attend The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. It is actually for their Lunch, and for the different Children's plays that they have throughout the year. My sister reserves the whole front section...if you ever are interested in going you can read the details about it here.This particular play/musical was "Frosty the Snowman." The kids had a great time as usual. Even Thomas sat through the whole thing! It is kinda crazy to think that we have been going to these since Caden was probably around 9 months old...and now here I am with 3 kids...still going!
They really do a great job with all the sets, and the actors are good too! My kids always get a kick out of meeting them after the show, and getting all of their autographs.

It really is such a fun time for us as a family.Sydney is super excited for "The Little Mermaid" in March. My sister still has a few tables available...let me know if you want to come!

Week One

I have to say that I am really enjoying doing this 8 Week Challenge. It has been the perfect motivation for me.  I have to say that am pleasantly surprised at how well I have done.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to do some of the tasks EVERY SINGLE DAY...but for the most part I did well.  I thought I would 'journal' here how I did just to see my progress.

1. Exercise at least 45 minutes a day.  I was able to get to the gym 5 days this week! WooHoo!  So not perfect, but good enough for me.  I usually like to get there in the morning, and get it out of the way....but with a newborn....I got there when I could.  It has been an interesting thing for me because normally if I didn't get there in the morning...I just didn't go.  So I have liked having that extra commitment to get there even if it is later in the day.
 
2. Get at least 7 hours of sleep per day (naps are included). This one was interesting, since I do have a little one, but luckily he has been sleeping pretty well.  Sometimes even for 6 hour stretches (hallelujah!)  And even when he does wake up, he just eats and goes back to sleep.  So I was able to check this one off every day.
 
3. Drink 64 ounces of water. 8 glasses, 8 oz. each. This one was a no-brainer for me.  I have a 32 oz. water bottle, and easily consume atleast one if not 2 when I workout.  I usually end up filling that water bottle 3-4 times through out my day...so more than enough.  I love me some water.
 
4. No sugar.  I cannot believe I actually accomplished this with the exception of my 'free' day.  Sugar has always been my downfall.  Candy is my friend.  It was not easy, but I am so proud of myself from actually turning down sweets.  Even on my 'free' day the only thing I had was an oatmeal cream pie, which could also qualify as junk.  But no CANDY!   Yay!

5. No soda or junk food. For me this should just say no junk food.  I have never been a big fan of soda or should I say carbonation.  It is just not something I crave.  What this challenge has done is open my eyes to how many opportunities that I had to eat junk.  Pizza is a big one.  My kids love it, and it is easy for me.  I used to probably get a couple of pizza's atleast once a week for dinner.  It has helped me make menus so that I would have better food choices, and not fix the easiest and quickest thing.  I try not to buy alot of 'junk' food because my kids tend to burn through it, but I do buy things every once in a while.  I only ended up having some popcorn at our Summer Movie Fun this week - again on my free day.

6. Eat at least 2 servings of fruits and 2 servings of vegetables. Again, another easy one for me.  I love fruits and veggies, and eat them regularly.  Now I just have to 'keep count'.  Which is good because there are some days where unintentionally I realize I haven't eaten as much as I should.  It makes for much healthier snacks. 
 
7. No eating after 8 pm. This one is one of my harder ones.  Since I have little ones we have to have dinner early. For them, the ideal time is 5pm.  Sometimes that is difficult to do, but I shoot for it.  Otherwise, meltdowns occur or they start trying to eat other things while I am making dinner...and then they aren't hungry by the time dinner is done.  So having dinner early is great, but then I tend to get the late night munchies.  I know I struggle with this because I have to make a conscious effort not to go looking for something to nibble on.  But luckily...so far so good.

8. Write in journal every day. (Blogging counts as journaling) I am so glad this was one of the goals because I have missed blogging so much.  After I had Thomas, I think alot of things went downhill for me.  I let alot of things go, and couldn't seem to motivate myself to do much of anything.  It saddens me to think I have alot of memories not recorded.  I am hoping this will help me get a routine, and I will continue to post regularly after the challenge ends.

9. Complete at least 15 minutes of uplifting reading. Another great goal, and one that I have struggled with my entire life.  I don't know why, but I have always been really bad at reading my scriptures.  What I started doing this past week is reading my scriptures from my phone while on an elliptical or bike at the gym.  It has been wonderful.  I love being able to do both at once.  If I am not able to do it while working out, I end up having alot of time while nursing little Grayson...so I will read there.  Again a great habit that I hope to keep up after the challenge.

10. Do an act of service/kindness that is outside of your normal routine. This one has been interesting, but so doable.  It has opened my eyes to the little things you can do for people.  Things that don't take alot of effort.  I think so many times we think that in order to give service it has to be some big elaborate event, but it can really just be something as simple as a compliment or smile to someone who looks like they are having a rough day.  


Friday ended up being my 'free' day.  I already can see how difficult this is going to be to keep up on the weekends.  There is always lots of opportunities to mess it up.  I already know that I have to be really good this week because I don't get my 'free' day until Saturday...with a birthday party and then Broadway Palm Dinner Show that night...I will have to wait until then to blow it!  Haha


Amazingly enough my grand total for the week was 69 out of 70 possible points! (Only possible with the 'free' day otherwise it would have been 64!  


This week is half over, but so far so good!